South Adelaide rode a strong third quarter to claim a 44-point win over North Adelaide at Hickinbotham Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The plucky Roosters stuck with the Panthers for the first half, but were unable to withstand a 6.1 to 1.1 third term, which included a four-goals-in-five-minutes barrage to close out the quarter, as South were able to kick away to a 13.7 (85) to 6.5 (41) victory.

The win sees the Panthers head into their first bye of the season with a 4-1 record and tied with the ladder-leading Eagles for wins.

South's midfield was dealt a blow even before the first bounce, as prime mover Brede Seccull was withdrawn from the contest after succumbing to a nasty corky suffered in the win over Norwood. However, the Panthers engine room continued to purr despite the absence of their 2016 Knuckey Cup winner.

Likewise, Xavier Gotch (32 possessions, eight marks and a goal) and Nick Liddle (26 disposals, nine tackles and a goal) were instrumental in the Panthers dominating possession 371 to 263 and inside 50s 52 to 37.

Matt Rose was reliable as ever across half back with 27 disposals (20 of them kicks) and twelve marks, as was Ben Haren (seven marks and three goals) as he drifted between the forward and back lines throughout the match.

Meanwhile, Mount Compass recruit Adam Hunter played his finest game since joining the club, as the smooth-moving wingman accumulated 19 possessions, took a game-high 13 marks and also kicked his first goal for the club.

The two teams entered the contest separated by just one win in the standings and the Round 5 action began equally poised.

The two sides traded behinds before a strong leading mark and goal to Daniel Bass broke the deadlock and nudged South in front.

A quick reply by Lewis Hender was swiftly answered by a beautiful set shot from Ben Haren and the teams entered the first break separated by just two points.

The second term was a similar arm wrestle, as the Roosters claimed their first lead of the game just 36 seconds after the first bounce.

Hunter promptly snapped home his first goal for the club, followed by a Jackson McMahon goal to restore the Panthers lead.

Both sides continued to go toe-to-toe, as back-to-back majors to Tanner Smith snatched back a North Adelaide advantage, before Schwarz capped off an impressive first half by returning the Panthers to the lead.

The third quarter however was all South Adelaide.

A goal to the elusive Rigby Barnes and Haren's second for the match within the first eight minutes set the tone for the quarter.

North's Matt Appleton would respond, but a Panthers purple patch that saw Sam Overall, Connor Fairlie and Liddle combine for four goals in five minutes would blow the game wide open.

The Roosters would stem the flow in the final term, with South only kicking away to a 2.3 to 1.1 advantage in the quarter, but the damage had already been done.

The Panthers now enjoy a well-earned rest of the split round bye before making the trek to My Money House Oval to face Central District from 2:10pm, Saturday, May 20.

South Adelaide's Reserves fell agonisingly short of recording a breakthrough win against North Adelaide, falling just two points shy at Hickinbotham Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The Panthers led at every change through the first three quarters, but were let down by some skill and decision making errors in the final term and fell to a 11.8 (74) to 11.10 (76) defeat.

The match came down the the wire, with Jesse McKinnon goalling in the 25th minute to draw the hosts within a kick. However, a desperate Roosters tackle would prevent the Panthers from entering their forward 50 again before the final siren sounded.

It was a gutsy effort for South Adelaide's young Reserves, who were down to 18 men by the final term, as Adam Gulden (hamstring), Sam Gurney (shoulder) and Jaidan Kappler (ribs) were forced off the field.

Pleasingly, experienced defender Tarak Redigolo made a successful return from the ACL injury he suffered against Port Adelaide in 2016, collecting 23 possessions and taking nine marks in a dominant display.

Jordan Taylor (27 touches and seven marks) continued to build his form in his return from a series of hamstring issues, while big American Alex Aurrichio again made his presence felt around the stoppages.

Also amongst the best for South were Alex Moyle (21 possessions) and Kaj Patterson (14 touches and three goals).

The Reserves also enjoy the bye next week before their clash with Central District at My Money House Oval from 11:25am, Saturday May 20.